Iceland entry requirements for New Zealand passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 17, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
New Zealand passport holders can visit Iceland visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This covers tourism, business meetings, and short-term study. As of 2026, no visa is needed for stays under 90 days.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay in Iceland | Your New Zealand passport needs to be valid for the entire time you're in Iceland. Schengen border officers don't enforce the 6-month rule, but your airline might check it at check-in — if your passport expires within 3 months of your departure from Iceland, carry a printout of Iceland's official policy to show the gate agent. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from the Schengen area | Icelandic border officers routinely ask for proof of onward travel at Keflavik. Have a printed or digital copy of your return flight or a ticket to a non-Schengen country. If you're overlanding out of Schengen, a bus or ferry booking works too. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Immigration may ask where you're staying, especially if you arrive without a clear itinerary. A hotel confirmation or a letter from a friend in Iceland with their address is enough. I've been asked for this at Keflavik twice in the last three years. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself during your stay | Officers can ask for proof of sufficient funds — roughly 10,000 ISK per day (about $70 USD). A recent bank statement or a credit card with a decent limit usually satisfies them. I've never been asked for this myself, but it's in the regulations. | Recommended |
Schengen area rules apply
Iceland is part of the Schengen area. Your 90-day visa-free stay counts across all 27 Schengen countries. If you've already spent time in France or Germany, that time counts toward your 90-day limit.
No border control between Schengen countries
Once you're in Iceland, you can travel freely to other Schengen countries without passport checks. But your total stay in the entire Schengen area cannot exceed 90 days in any 180-day period.
What happens at the border
1
Arrival at Keflavik Airport
You'll go through passport control. Join the queue for non-EU/EEA travellers. Have your passport, return ticket, and accommodation confirmation ready. The officer may ask your purpose and length of stay. Answer clearly. You'll get a stamp allowing up to 90 days.
2
Collect your luggage
After passport control, head to baggage claim. If you have an eSIM, it should activate as soon as you land — no need to queue for a local SIM.
3
Exit customs
Green channel for most travellers (nothing to declare). Red channel if you have goods over the duty-free limit or restricted items. Usually quick.
Download Iceland Entry Checklist
PDF · New Zealand Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 17, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
For those who need a visa or want to stay longer than 90 days.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity1 year
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
Allows multiple visits within the Schengen area.
Long-stay visa (national D visa)
Max stayUp to 1 year
Validity1 year
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification; requires sponsorship.
work visa
Icelandic Work Visa (Residence Permit for Employment)
Up to 1 year, renewable
€80 (~$87 USD) application fee
For those with a job offer in Iceland. Requires employer sponsorship and a valid work contract. Allows long-term stay and work.
student visa
Icelandic Student Visa (Residence Permit for Studies)
Up to 1 year, renewable
€80 (~$87 USD) application fee
For enrolled students at an accredited Icelandic institution. Requires proof of enrollment and sufficient funds.
digital nomad visa
Icelandic Digital Nomad Visa (Remote Work Permit)
Up to 6 months
€80 (~$87 USD) application fee
For remote workers with a foreign employer. Requires proof of income and health insurance. Not renewable.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)For stays exceeding 90 days or if visa is required. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Same fee as single entry, but allows multiple entries within validity. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayMaximum cap may apply; enforced by Icelandic authorities. | €50 (~$54 USD) per day |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Iceland
No transit visa needed
New Zealand passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes at Icelandic airports, as long as they remain airside.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsKeflavik International Airport (KEF)
Health & vaccines for Iceland
Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, etc.)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedInfluenzaConsider
Health risks
HypothermiaModerate risk
Cold weather and wind chill can cause hypothermia; dress warmly and stay dry.
Foodborne illnessLow risk
Food hygiene is high, but undercooked meat or unpasteurized dairy may pose a risk.
Tick-borne encephalitisLow risk
Ticks in rural areas can transmit encephalitis; use repellent and check for ticks.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Reykjavik
Icelandic Directorate of Immigration
Dalvegur 18, 201 Kópavogur
Mon–Fri 09:00–15:00
Main office for visa and residence permit matters.
Akureyri
Akureyri Police Station (Immigration Desk)
Hafnarstræti 102, 600 Akureyri
Mon–Fri 09:00–16:00
Handles some immigration services for northern Iceland.
Practical information for NZ travellers
Country basics
CapitalReykjavik
LanguageIcelandic
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license valid.
Money
CurrencyIcelandic Króna (ISK)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 123.07 ISK
Time zone
Local timeUTC+0
vs New York+5h (EST) / +4h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+8h (PST) / +7h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FType C, F — US plugs do not fit. Bring a European adapter.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Some of the purest tap water in the world.
Emergency numbers
Getting to Iceland
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to Iceland — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
No. The visa-free stay is fixed at 90 days within any 180-day period. Extensions are not granted for tourism. If you need longer, you'd need a visa or residence permit before you travel.
No. The 90-day limit applies to the entire Schengen area (including Iceland). Leaving and re-entering doesn't reset it. You must spend 90 days outside the Schengen area before you can return visa-free.
No. If you're connecting through Keflavik Airport and staying airside, you don't need a visa. But if you need to clear immigration (e.g., to switch terminals or stay overnight), you'll need to meet the visa-free entry requirements.
Your passport (valid 6+ months), return/onward ticket, and proof of first-night accommodation. Travel insurance is not mandatory but strongly recommended. Keep digital copies on your phone.
No. The visa-free stay is for tourism, business meetings, and short-term study only. Remote work for a foreign employer is technically not allowed. For that, you'd need a remote work visa (Iceland offers a long-term visa for remote workers, but it requires a separate application).
Overstaying can result in a fine, a ban from the Schengen area, or deportation. It's taken seriously. If you realise you'll overstay, contact the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration before your 90 days are up.
Yes. For stays over 90 days, you need a residence permit or a long-stay visa (D visa). Apply at the Icelandic embassy in your home country well in advance. Processing can take several months.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 17, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.